Despite ‘Challenging Year,’ United Way Fundraiser Bringing in the Cash
The year 2011 has seen economic hardship grip many families and people throughout Lewis County, but if money donated to the United Way of Lewis County thus far is any indicator, those that are a bit more fortunate are at the ready to help.
The United Way of Lewis County held its annual Campaign Celebration Thursday evening at the Holiday Inn in Chehalis, inviting community and business leaders to celebrate the donation of over $500,000 thus far in the current campaign cycle — just $100,000 away from the agency’s stated goal of $600,000 by March that will be dispersed among local charities that support human needs.
“Even though it’s been a challenging year, we’re still seeing people still giving and many are upping their donations,” United Way of Lewis County Executive Director Debbie Campbell said. “They feel like they can and their neighbors can. It’s tough for everyone but Lewis County is such a caring community.”
Each campaign cycle generally runs from late fall until March, when the United Way makes a major push for local businesses and individuals to donate to the needy. This year’s goal, which reflects the 2010 goal of $600,000, is in addition to people donating directly to other nonprofit organizations, some whom the United Way supports.
Money donated directly to United Way will be the topic of discussions among an appointed board that will discuss which local charities and nonprofits receive a portion of the cash, Campbell said. That process won’t happen for at least three months — in the interim, Campbell is confident the community can come together and raise $100,000 more to put the agency at its goal.
“We will pick up that money. People have been so good around here about getting that last-minute push because they see the need in the community,” Campbell said.
